Globally, it’s estimated that 5%–7.2% of youth and 2.5%–6.7% of adults have ADHD, though prevalence varies by region and age. ADHD can either cause minor inconvenience in everyday life, or worse, make way for serious problems in the workplace.
For instance, this 22-year-old Redditor has to softly reading aloud to focus, only to be roasted by a snarky new coworker. This AITA saga, juicier than office gossip, stars our hero with ADHD and mild dyslexia, whose quiet habit triggers a workplace feud.
The drama spikes when the coworker’s relentless mocking leads to spilled secrets and a shocking firing. Now, guilt’s creeping in—did they push it too far? Reddit’s ablaze with opinions on this clash of quirks and boundaries.
Woman’s ADHD leads to the dismissal of a smart co-worker.
People suffering from ADHD can experience difficulties in everyday activities. It may even leads to various problems in relationships.
This Redditor’s struggle with their coworker’s mockery highlights a broader issue: workplace respect, or the lack thereof.
Our protagonist, managing ADHD and mild dyslexia, relied on reading aloud to focus.
It is a habit that didn’t bother most colleagues until a new employee (let’s call her Office Critic) turned it into a punchline.
What started as teasing escalated when the Redditor’s private message about their condition was shared office-wide, leading to the Critic’s swift dismissal.
The habit of murmuring while reading, described as barely louder than a whisper, was a coping mechanism for ADHD and dyslexia.
Most coworkers were unbothered, and the Redditor was proactive, checking in to ensure they weren’t disruptive.
The Office Critic, however, saw it as a chance to mock, ignoring the Redditor’s polite explanation. This grew into a breach of trust when the Critic shared a confidential message.
From the Redditor’s perspective, reporting this to their boss was a last resort after months of frustration. But the Critic’s stellar work performance complicates things. Did her skills outweigh her snark?
On the flip side, the Office Critic’s behavior screams “brilliant jerk,” a term business experts use for high performers who tank team morale.
Her mockery wasn’t just rude. It bordered on harassment, especially after learning about the Redditor’s condition. Sharing a private message is a trust violation that could make any workplace toxic.
According to a Harvard Business School study, toxic employees, even top performers, can cost companies dearly: 50% of workers surveyed admitted to slacking off around such colleagues. The boss’s quick decision to fire suggests this wasn’t the Critic’s first misstep.
For insight, consider Netflix CEO Reed Hastings’ stance on “brilliant jerks”: “Some companies tolerate them. For us, the cost to effective teamwork is too high”.
This philosophy aligns with the boss’s action: prioritizing team harmony over one star’s output.
The Critic’s exit might sting the company short-term, but a toxic vibe could do worse damage long-term.
Still, the Redditor’s guilt is relatable. Nobody wants to feel like the villain in their own story.
So, what’s the takeaway? Workplace respect is non-negotiable. The Redditor could explore tools like a WhisperPhone to minimize disruption, as one commenter suggested.
Meanwhile, companies must foster environments where differences are respected, not ridiculed.
Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:
Quite a number of users point out that the coworker’s harassment and betrayal of trust warranted her termination.
Many other users think OP isn’t wrong, but should explore solutions for reading aloud to minimize workplace disruption.
A few users claim that although the coworker was cruel, OP’s reading aloud could be disruptive.
Undoubtedly, some users criticize that the coworker’s bullying over OP’s disability was intolerable and deserved consequences.
This office story leaves us pondering: was the Redditor’s decision to report their coworker a justified stand against bullying, or did it tip the scales too far for a talented employee?
The guilt’s real, but so was the betrayal. Nobody wants their personal struggles broadcast to the break room.
How would you handle a colleague who crosses the line from teasing to toxicity?
Would you have gone to the boss, or tried another way to squash the drama? Drop your thoughts below and let’s keep the conversation buzzing!
